Advent Devotion for Thursday, December 10: The Art and Imagery of Advent

Download the complete devotional guide here.
Read:
Psalm 126
Habakkuk 2:1-5
Philippians 3:7-11 

Reflect: 
“I will stand at my watch post, and station myself on the rampart; I will keep watch to see what he will say to me.”  

Before King David’s conquest of Jerusalem in the 11th century BCE the city was heavily fortified with a strong city wall. Today the Old City is still surrounded by ancient walls that are about 8 feet thick and 39 feet tall containing 34 watch towers and 8 gates. During its long history, Jerusalem has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, captured and recaptured 44 times. Little doubt that many, many individuals have been stationed on those ramparts as lookouts over the many centuries, watching to see signs of an enemy approaching.
 
But the prophet is not looking out for the enemy, rather he fully expects to hear a word from God. 

And he does!  

How often do we talk to God, actually have a two-way conversation? How exciting that would be to have the confidence and expectation that when we go to our place where we are close to the eternal we know there will be a response.  

Where is your place? How about contemplating what makes it special. Maybe your family could create an area in your home that for the remainder of Advent and all the way through Epiphany you can call close to God. Maybe decorate it or equip it with the things that make you think of Jesus and draw you to it for even just a couple minutes to dwell on the Holy.  

But then again, for as long as I can remember, people look up at the sky when they want to sense God’s presence. In our passage the prophet is on the ramparts 39 feet up, but what if you could stand on a rampart that was 2,717 feet up and look down upon the people, cars, ships, clouds going by. You might gain a sense of what God sees when he looks upon us as we hurry about our daily lives. Something to think about and experience for yourself on Youtube. Atop the Burj Khalifa, what might Jesus be thinking about and wanting to share with you as you prepare for Christmas? Trying to see from God’s point of view might make your prayer life more of a two-way conversation. 

Joan Copeland